Getting cash in Costa Rica
Dec 17, 2020, 9:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 913
Getting cash in Costa Rica
We land in LIR in a few days and I was looking to understand where I could get local currency. Is there an ATM at the airport or nearby? What is a reasonable amount to withdraw for a 10 day trip spread between Guanacaste (near Tamarindo) and Arenal.
When In Mexico, the one place where we always use pesos is for gas and other smaller restaurants, etc.and I always like having local currency on hand.
When In Mexico, the one place where we always use pesos is for gas and other smaller restaurants, etc.and I always like having local currency on hand.
Dec 17, 2020, 10:38 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,289
I got cash from an ATM last month in LIR. IIRC, it was in the baggage claim area along the wall. I withdrew about $500 worth (300K CRC) for about 8 days and that did us just fine, but of course how much you will need is dependent on your circumstances.
Dec 17, 2020, 4:37 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: PR Premier Elite
Posts: 1,950
USD bills $20's or less are almost universaly accepted for payment at most places with change in CRC. They just round to 600 CRC to $1 which is within 1% of the market rate. If you pulled a bunch of $20s from a US ATM and just use ATMs here when convenient you would be fine. Your Dollars are good enough there is no pressure to immediately get CRC.
Dec 19, 2020, 12:41 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 913
USD bills $20's or less are almost universaly accepted for payment at most places with change in CRC. They just round to 600 CRC to $1 which is within 1% of the market rate. If you pulled a bunch of $20s from a US ATM and just use ATMs here when convenient you would be fine. Your Dollars are good enough there is no pressure to immediately get CRC.
Dec 20, 2020, 8:41 am
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SJO/MGA
Programs: bits of shiny plastic w/ varied utility
Posts: 383
Gas can either be paid in cash or by plastic (debit or credit) in most places. If you use plastic then the same precautions one uses in Mexico apply: Watch your card to be sure it's only processed once and for the correct amount.
US dollars are widely accepted in most tourist areas and at a reasonable exchange rate. Caution: most places will not accept any bill that is "defaced" by writing or small years.
Lastly, beware of the CRC 20,000 banknote! Smaller locations loathe them because they don't carry sufficient change. If the ATM spits them out, try to break them at your hotel or a supermarket.
US dollars are widely accepted in most tourist areas and at a reasonable exchange rate. Caution: most places will not accept any bill that is "defaced" by writing or small years.
Lastly, beware of the CRC 20,000 banknote! Smaller locations loathe them because they don't carry sufficient change. If the ATM spits them out, try to break them at your hotel or a supermarket.